Australia may allow balcony solar systems for renters
In Australia, energy ministers have agreed to explore ways to safely use plug-in solar systems and batteries. This technology could become available to apartment residents and renters who do not have the option of installing panels on a roof. These systems can currently be sold in the country, but they cannot legally be connected and used.
As ABC News Australia reports, the federal government will work with states and territories on measures for the safe use of the technology. They are expected to report on the next steps by the end of the year.
How the systems work
Plug-in solar systems, also called balcony systems, can be plugged into a standard outlet without installation by an electrician. The energy generated by the panels enters the home grid through an inverter and helps offset electricity consumption by household appliances.
Abroad, such systems are usually mounted on apartment balconies or installed in yards. Their capacity is about 600–800 watts, and their cost is up to $1,300. They were legalized in the United Kingdom last month, while New Zealand said it intends to do so within 12 months. In Germany, such systems are estimated to be installed in about one in every ten households.
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Savings and obstacles
Energy Minister Chris Bowen said that about one-third of Australians already have rooftop solar panels. According to him, the government is considering allowing people without their own roof to reduce their electricity bills as well.
Heidi Lee Douglas, chief executive of the public organization Solar Citizens, called for a clear deadline for legalizing the systems. In her estimate, an average plug-in solar panel can save $300–$400 per year, while batteries can double that amount. Experts estimate the payback period for such systems at four to ten years. Renters could also take the panels and batteries with them when moving.
Issues that still need to be regulated include product safety standards and obtaining permission from landlords and apartment building management bodies to place panels on balconies or in yards. The federal government has not yet said whether it is considering subsidies or compensation for purchasing this technology.
